Football: Akrofi steals in as Tonbridge Angels defence holds firm

IN THE BOX Nathan Elder was seemingly fouled inside the area PHOTO: David Couldridge

TONBRIDGE ANGELS were indebted to Alex Akrofi to get them over the line against a Wingate & Finchley [W&F] side who could have snatched a draw.

Visiting skipper Ahmet Rifat had an excellent chance at the far post in the second minute as W&F created several chances.

The best of the opportunities came on 33 minutes when Sean Cronin hit the base of the post with a firm header.

Angels’ best reponse in the first half came from Luke Blewden’s stinging volley which forced a good save from Wingate’s keeper Luke Sheldrake.

The hosts came out for the second half in more assertive fashion and in the 52nd minute Blewden’s cross should have been converted by Nathan Elder.

In the 60th minute the breakthrough arrived in controversial fashion. Blewden appeared to have been fouled in the penalty area and while the players waited for the whistle to blow, the ball ran through to Alex Akrofi who played to the whistle and scored for the home side.

The game should have been made safe for Tonbridge as chances fell to Dan Thompson and Akrofi in the last half-hour.

They nearly paid the price with Rob Lainey forcing a great save from keeper Jonny Henly in the 80th minute. But Angels secured their fourth clean sheet in five games, and assistant manager Barry Moore said: “We got ourselves deservedly in front and then treated the ball like a hot potato in defending that slender lead.”